Fuel cell power plant for mobile unit
First Claim
1. A fuel cell power plant for a mobile unit, the mobile unit provided with a drive device driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power, the power plant comprising:
- a fuel cell generating power when supplied with fuel;
a battery charged with power generated by the fuel cell;
a power regulation device selectively distributing power from the fuel cell and the battery to the drive device;
a controller functioning toestimate the energy required to activate the fuel cell;
set a determination value corresponding to a relatively small amount of energy in comparison to the energy required to activate the fuel cell; and
control the fuel cell and the power regulation device so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery is supplied to the drive device when the estimated energy required to activate the fuel cell is greater than or equal to the determination value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell power plant is provided for a mobile unit. The mobile unit is provided with a drive device (29) driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power. The power plant comprises a fuel cell (21) generating power when supplied with fuel, a battery (27) charged with power generated by the fuel cell, a power regulation device (31) selectively distributing power from the fuel cell (21) and the battery (27) to the drive device (29), and a controller (33) for controlling running operations. The controller (33) estimates the energy required to activate the fuel cell (21), and controls the power regulation device (31) when the energy required to activate the fuel cell is greater than or equal to a determination value so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery (27) is supplied to the drive device (29).
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A fuel cell power plant for a mobile unit, the mobile unit provided with a drive device driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power, the power plant comprising:
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a fuel cell generating power when supplied with fuel; a battery charged with power generated by the fuel cell; a power regulation device selectively distributing power from the fuel cell and the battery to the drive device; a controller functioning to estimate the energy required to activate the fuel cell; set a determination value corresponding to a relatively small amount of energy in comparison to the energy required to activate the fuel cell; and control the fuel cell and the power regulation device so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery is supplied to the drive device when the estimated energy required to activate the fuel cell is greater than or equal to the determination value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fuel cell power plant for a mobile unit, the mobile unit provided with a drive device driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power, the power plant comprising:
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a fuel cell generating power when supplied with fuel; a battery charged with power generated by the fuel cell; a power regulation device selectively distributing power from the fuel cell and the battery to the drive device; a controller functioning to determine a short-term operation running mode or a normal running mode; activate the fuel cell when a normal running mode is determined from the determination result; and control the fuel cell and the power regulation device so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery is supplied to the drive device when the short-term operation running mode is determined. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A fuel cell power plant for a mobile unit, the mobile unit provided with a drive device driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power, the power plant comprising:
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a fuel cell generating power when supplied with fuel; a battery charged with power generated by the fuel cell; a power regulation device selectively distributing power from the fuel cell and the battery to the drive device; a switch allowing selection of a normal running mode or a short-term operation running mode; and a controller functioning to control the fuel cell and the power regulation device so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery is supplied to the drive device when the short-term operation running mode is selected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A fuel cell power plant for a mobile unit, the mobile unit provided with a drive device driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power, the power plant comprising:
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a fuel cell generating power when supplied with fuel; a battery charged with power generated by the fuel cell; a sensor for detecting the SOC of the battery; a power regulation device selectively distributing power from the fuel cell and the battery to the drive device; a switch allowing selection of a normal running mode or a short-term operation running mode; and a controller functioning to estimate the energy required to activate the fuel cell; estimate the time until completion of activation based on the energy required to activate the fuel cell; estimate the power consumption during vehicle operation until the estimated time for fuel cell activation elapses; control the fuel cell and the power regulation device so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery is supplied to the drive device when the short-term operation running mode is selected if the residual battery charge is greater than the estimated power consumption; and activate the fuel cell even when the short-term operation running mode is selected if the residual battery charge is less than the estimated power consumption. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification